Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1404 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New	Differences
1	1	S.B. No. 1404
2	2
3	3
4	4	AN ACT
5	5	relating to the creation of a work group to study the benefits of
6	6	coal-to-nuclear electric generating facility conversion.
7	7	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
8	8	SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "work group" means the
9	9	coal-to-nuclear conversion work group established under Section 2
10	10	of this Act.
11	11	SECTION 2. WORK GROUP FORMATION AND ADMINISTRATION. (a)
12	12	The coal-to-nuclear conversion work group is established and
13	13	composed of 16 members with:
14	14	(1) one member of the senate appointed by the
15	15	lieutenant governor;
16	16	(2) one member of the house of representatives
17	17	appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
18	18	(3) two members representing institutions of higher
19	19	education appointed by the governor;
20	20	(4) one ex officio member representing the Public
21	21	Utility Commission of Texas appointed by the governor;
22	22	(5) one ex officio member representing the independent
23	23	organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for
24	24	the ERCOT power region appointed by the governor; and
25	25	(6) 10 members of the public who have knowledge and
26	26	experience in nuclear engineering, nuclear safety, energy policy,
27	27	or economic analysis, and who are appointed as follows:
28	28	(A) five members appointed by the speaker of the
29	29	house of representatives; and
30	30	(B) five members appointed by the lieutenant
31	31	governor.
32	32	(b) The work group members described by Subsections (a)(1)
33	33	and (2) of this section serve as co-chairs of the work group.
34	34	(c) The work group shall meet at the call of its co-chairs.
35	35	(d) The work group may form committees for the efficient
36	36	operation of the work group, at the discretion of the co-chairs of
37	37	the work group. The co-chairs of the work group shall appoint the
38	38	presiding officer of each committee. The presiding officer of a
39	39	committee may invite other members of the work group to serve on the
40	40	committee. A committee may consult with subject matter experts.
41	41	(e) The work group may adopt rules, procedures, and policies
42	42	as necessary or convenient to administer this Act and fulfill the
43	43	responsibilities of the work group.
44	44	(f) A member of the work group may not receive compensation
45	45	for serving on the work group but is entitled to reimbursement for
46	46	expenses incurred by the member in the performance of official
47	47	duties as a member of the work group as provided by the General
48	48	Appropriations Act.
49	49	(g) The senate and the house of representatives shall
50	50	provide administrative support to the work group as necessary to
51	51	implement this Act.
52	52	SECTION 3. WORK GROUP DUTIES. (a) The work group shall:
53	53	(1) study the benefits of converting sites in this
54	54	state with coal-fired electric generating facilities to use nuclear
55	55	electric generating facilities instead; and
56	56	(2) develop a model plan for implementing
57	57	coal-to-nuclear conversion to provide affordable and sustainable
58	58	power in this state.
59	59	(b) In developing the model plan, the work group shall:
60	60	(1) conduct a comprehensive review of research and
61	61	information on coal-to-nuclear conversion and related issues;
62	62	(2) engage in stakeholder outreach to gather feedback
63	63	and input from the public, industry, state agencies, and relevant
64	64	organizations;
65	65	(3) identify the potential benefits of
66	66	coal-to-nuclear conversion, including cost-effectiveness, energy
67	67	security, and reduced environmental impact;
68	68	(4) assess the economic viability of coal-to-nuclear
69	69	conversion and provide recommendations on financing and
70	70	cost-effectiveness; and
71	71	(5) consider the regulatory framework and
72	72	requirements for coal-to-nuclear conversion and provide
73	73	recommendations for streamlining the conversion process.
74	74	(c) Not later than October 31, 2024, the work group shall
75	75	submit to each standing committee of the senate and house of
76	76	representatives with oversight jurisdiction over environmental
77	77	concerns or electric utilities a report that includes the model
78	78	plan developed under this section and any findings or
79	79	recommendations made by a committee formed under Section 2(d) of
80	80	this Act.
81	81	SECTION 4. APPOINTMENTS. As soon as practicable, but not
82	82	later than October 1, 2023, the governor, lieutenant governor, and
83	83	speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the members
84	84	of the work group.
85	85	SECTION 5. INITIAL MEETING. Not later than November 1,
86	86	2023, the work group shall hold its initial meeting at the call of
87	87	the co-chairs of the work group.
88	88	SECTION 6. EXPIRATION. This Act expires and the work group
89	89	is abolished June 30, 2025.
90	90	SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
91	91	1, 2023.
92	92	______________________________ ______________________________
93	93	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
94	94	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1404 passed the Senate on
95	95	April 25, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 1; and that
96	96	the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 27, 2023, by the
97	97	following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
98	98	______________________________
99	99	Secretary of the Senate
100	100	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1404 passed the House, with
101	101	amendment, on May 24, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 134,
102	102	Nays 4, one present not voting.
103	103	______________________________
104	104	Chief Clerk of the House
105	105	Approved:
106	106	______________________________
107	107	Date
108	108	______________________________
109	109	Governor